Blog

08

Five Myths About Peyronie’s Disease

Like many other health disorders and disease, there have been several myths, misconceptions and false assumptions associated with Peyronie’s disease (PD). The following article intends to highlight some of those common myths related with PD and will help you differentiate between fact and fiction.

Myth 1: PD is a disease of young age

Fact: Greater than 75% of patients with PD are between 45 and 65 years of age. Similarly, some people also believe that Peyronie’s disease only affects men over 50 years of age. In reality, however, studies show that up to 10% of patients may present at age 40 and below.

Myth 2: PD is a disease of no known cause

Fact: While it is true that no single established cause can be considered as the sole factor responsible in all cases of PD, trauma / injury to the penis is considered as one of the most common causes of PD. Similarly, Peyronie’s disease has also been linked to other generalized conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Also, it has been also found to be associated with Dupuytren’s disease (palmar aponeurosis), Ledderhose’s disease (plantar aponeurosis), Paget’s disease and knuckle pads. The disease also tends to run in some families, from fathers to the sons.

Myth 3: PD leads to cancer

Fact: The plaque developed in PD itself is benign, or noncancerous (or non-malignant). It is not a tumor and cannot spread to adjacent body parts of tissues. Similarly, Peyronie’s disease is not contagious (cannot be transmitted to one person to another by any means) and is not known to be caused by any transmittable disease.

Myth 4: Surgery is the single best option that can completely cure all the cases of PD

Fact: Surgery is one of the riskiest, expensive and complex treatment options and is almost always implied as the last resort when other treatments do not work. In addition, even successful surgeries cannot guarantee that the disease will not recur in the future. Also, not all surgeries have shown 100% resolution of symptoms and signs in PD.

Myth 5: There is no link between Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction

Fact: While both conditions can occur independently, PD is associated with erectile dysfunction (or male impotency) in majority of its cases. As a result of more recent research, the correlation between Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction is much clearer than previously recognized. Published studies and trials have indicated that as much as 30% to 80% of men may have erectile dysfunction associated with Peyronie’s disease.